Why is Rohit Sharma most successful IPL captain? Indian great explains

Bengaluru: India’s batting great VVS Laxman has explained why Rohit Sharma is the most successful captain in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rohit is on top of the pile as Mumbai Indians’ (MI) skipper with four titles. MS Dhoni is the next best with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) with three trophies. Here is what Laxman said about Rohit’s captaincy in the cash-rich Twenty20 tournament.

Laxman played with Rohit for the now defunct IPL franchise Deccan Chargers. Recalling those days, Laxman revealed how Rohit had shown leadership qualities at the Hyderabad team.

"He became a leader in the Deccan Chargers team. When he came in the first year, he was a youngster who just played the T20 World Cup, made his international debut for India," Laxman said on Star Sports' show ‘Cricket Connected’.

“I think the way he was batting in the middle order, under pressure because the team didn’t do well in the inaugural IPL edition in 2008 … Rohit was a standout performer for us,” Laxman added. In 2009, Deccan Chargers won the IPL title, in South Africa, defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the final. Rohit was part of that title triumph.

Rohit took over as Mumbai Indians (MI) captain in 2013 when Australian legend Ricky Ponting stepped down as the skipper.

Rohit has led MI to IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

In the last year's IPL final, MI defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

“In each and every match, with each and every success, his confidence level was just growing, he was getting into the core group, helping the youngsters, voicing his opinion and those were early signs,” Laxman said.

“But for me, most importantly was handling the pressure because not once in those tough situations when he was batting did it show, and he has evolved and blossomed. That’s why he’s one of the most successful captains in IPL history,” Laxman added.

Not only his captaincy, Rohit has been in top form as a batsman too. He is the third highest run-scorer with 4,898 runs in 188 matches at an average of 31.60. His highest score is 109 not out.

Rohit and Dhoni are rated as the top captains in IPL. Dhoni has been CSK's skipper since the start of the IPL in 2008.

Seeing his IPL successes as a leader, some want Rohit to take over as India T20I captain.

This year's IPL has been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.